Lona Westbury

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence for those who have limited walking ability. It is important that you learn how to use your wheelchair and let a doctor/occupational therapy help you in this.

Many people move their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". This requires the client to have hands large enough to extend these rims, and good grip strength to propel forward.

Seating Position

self propelled lightweight folding wheelchair-propelled wheelchairs allow you to be able to move on your own and not rely on others. This is the most important factor for many people to regain their independence or retaining it. It also reduces the chance of injury to the person who is using the wheelchair as well as the people who are around them.

The wheelchair user must be comfortable in the chair. There are many things that can be done to make sure this is the case. First, ensure that the footplates are in the proper position. Release the footrest catch and swing them round so that they are on the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates.

The footrest height may need lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests aren't high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the seat bones and increase pain and discomfort.

A forehead strap will help the wheelchair user stay upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. These can be adapted by a specialist in mobility and can be used with wheelchairs that don't have headrests.

It is important that if the wheelchair comes with armrests that they are placed in a good position so that the wheelchair user does not hit them with their arms when they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have removable or swing away armrests. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to a more comfortable height.

It is also important that the wheelchair has a properly-fitting cushion, especially if the wheelchair user is at a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. This is because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In some instances, the skin can become dry and irritated because of sitting in a single position for long periods of time and can also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair frequently can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

best self-propelled wheelchair wheelchairs enable users to move their wheelchairs on their own without the need for a person to push them. They are more maneuverable because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. This lets them travel across a variety of surfaces without having to worry about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs.

Be cautious not to grip the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Too much pressure can cause your hands to get cramped and limit the amount of force you can use. You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers with grip material on the palms. This will improve the posture of your hands and increase the force you apply.

Keep the front casters free of debris, such as sticks or rocks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it may make it difficult to move as you would from your wheelchair, and could cause a loss of control or even injury. If the height of your seat to floor is extremely high, you might be thinking about adding extra padding to the front casters.

When going up a curb or small step it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair to provide assistance. If you are planning to do this on your own, further training and practice is required under the supervision of a health professional. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) towards the curb or small steps and position the front tires just prior to the edge.

It is essential to have enough space in the space in front of you when moving up a hill. This will stop you from crashing into other people. You will gain speed quickly if you don't leave enough space in front of you. You may also collide with someone else. You can avoid this by being aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on an upslope. Also, make sure you have someone with you to help you if you begin to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to control the braking and controlling actions in a certain manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when the chair is placed on a slope, as the center of gravity could be pushed forward if the braking is not done in a controlled way.

Always make sure that your hand is in the right position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is on the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, easiest push. It also helps to keep the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.

To turn right in a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair right so that you can remain in a seated position. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards.

Always consult the user guide provided with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair can traverse. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair might need to be temporarily removed and hand operated to overcome steep slopes. In this instance it is recommended you ask a family member or family member to help and follow the instructions in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating kerbstones. This will lessen the pressure on the front and back tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs have a kerb-climber option which can aid in this process. It boosts the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by 10cm (4")

To stop a wheel chair simply release the brakes and then push the joystick toward you. This will de-clutch motor. The wheelchair will then come to a stop which allows you to remove the footrests, set up walking aids, and then safely exit the chair.

Steering

When using a self propelled lightweight folding wheelchair-propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for controlling and steering. There are a variety of ways to do this, depending on the wheelchair structure and the additions like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, for instance will determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will handle. Small casters can help a wheelchair move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters permit wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces but the chair will not be as quick.

The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the hand rims and pushing evenly with each hand. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand as this can cause injuries and lead to over-corrections as the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different levels of leaning forwards and backwards to find the ideal balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users must be prepared and anticipate obstacles. It is crucial that the user of the wheelchair looks over their shoulders frequently to prevent running into objects or other people. Likewise, if they are travelling with a caregiver, they must make sure that they are ready to assist when needed. If the wheelchair is to be used on the slope, it should be assisted or driven by an adult until the user has gained experience with this.

To turn to turn, the user pulls the rim of one hand back while pushing the other hand forwards. It is recommended to practice on a smooth, flat surface before moving onto any other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable, and the wheelchair could tip over if it is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this could take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning much easier. It is important to be aware that untrained strangers are often able to push a wheelchair user against their will. The user of the wheelchair should cover the handles or fold them back.